President Xi Jinping attends discussions with National People's Congress deputies from Fujian province in Beijing on Sunday. [Ju Peng/Xinhua]

Govt should help create favorable business climate, president says

President Xi Jinping reaffirmed China's commitment to supporting the development of private businesses during a discussion with National People's Congress deputies from Fujian province on Sunday.

The government should implement supportive measures and policies, build a fair, transparent and legal environment and create a good atmosphere for the development of private companies, said Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

In his speech, Xi said the government must create a good environment that promotes innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity throughout society.

The government should provide healthy conditions for small and medium-sized companies and for the development of young people, Xi said.

After a speech by Ding Shizhong, an NPC deputy and chairman of Anta Sports Products, Xi complimented Ding's efforts to stay focused on the real economy and build up a national sportswear brand.

The government should help private companies achieve innovative development and build up a team of entrepreneurs with a pioneering spirit, forward-looking vision and global insight with respect to market competition, Xi said.

Xi encouraged Fujian, the area of the Chinese mainland that lies nearest to Taiwan, to set an example of promoting integrated development across the Taiwan Straits. The mainland and Taiwan should enhance their economic and trade links, boost the interconnectivity of infrastructure, strengthen mutual exchanges of energy and resources and promote the mutual application of industrial standards, he said.

He also stressed the importance of enhancing cultural exchanges with Taiwan, calling for more efforts to enhance Taiwan compatriots' recognition and positive feelings about the nation.

Xi said authorities must implement a people-centered philosophy in their Taiwan work and provide equal services for Taiwan compatriots and mainland people.

Xi told government authorities to listen to the voices of Taiwan compatriots and put forward policies to benefit the people as much as possible.

In his speech, the president also emphasized poverty alleviation work in the revolutionary bases of Fujian province. Noting that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, Xi said the people in the revolutionary bases should not be forgotten.

He ordered local governments to take targeted poverty reduction measures to ensure that no one in the revolutionary bases is left behind in the process of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

He also stressed the importance of protecting the environment and enhancing Party building in the process of building up the economy in underdeveloped areas.